A frail pensioner who suffers with dementia has been left “scared” to return to a shopping centre store after being subject to a “disgusting” attack by youths.

Eileen Shepherd, 90, is still recovering three months after she was allegedly attacked by two teenagers while in a branch of Poundstretcher.

Eileen had been walking around the discount retailer’s store at Thamesgate Shopping Centre in Gravesend, with her son Philip when the youngsters started shouting and swearing at them.

Philip said the pair were called “c****” as well as other obscenities so they decided to cut their trip short and go to the till to ask for the manager to report it.

But while at the front of the store, the 67-year-old said the teens continued to hurl abuse at the pensioners and started getting in their faces.

In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Philip said he pushed one away from them leading them to “lash out” kicking Eileen in the shin and causing it to bleed.

The former mental health secure ambulance driver told KentOnline: “It was a nasty injury. My mum was scared and was clinging to my arm as we walked around.

“It has put my mum off going back in there. It was just awful.

“What has happened is disgusting. I am so angry.”

Eileen, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, was taken to Gravesend Community Hospital following the alleged attack on March 23 and three months on is still receiving treatment.

She is taking penicillin four times a day and is unable to walk far on her left leg, has to keep it bandaged and her foot has swollen significantly.

Police were called and confirmed a report of an assault was received where it was alleged two people had been involved in an altercation with two others while inside a shop.

A spokeswoman for the force added: “Inquiries were carried out, including reviewing CCTV, and due to the detail surrounding the incident a decision was made not to take any further action.”

Philip, of St Gregory’s Crescent, Gravesend, was told there was no video footage as the discount retailer’s CCTV was not working at the till.

He has reported the issue to Poundstretcher requesting the cameras be fixed, however, he has been told they are still broken.

“There is not a lot the police can do without video evidence and I do understand that,” he added. “How can they get away with doing this to people?

“He could have pulled a knife out on us or something serious could have happened in that shop. What if someone gets knifed, nothing could be done about it.

“To have no videos and cameras I find unbelievable. Members of staff could get hurt.

“Someone could get seriously injured in there. It has still not been fixed, I think that is awful.”

The concerned son has hit out at the response he’s had from Poundstretcher, labelling it “awful” and saying he thinks “they should be accountable”.

“If Poundstretcher had rung me up and said what would be done, I would understand but it is still not fixed,” he added.

“They owe my mum an apology and a promise that it will get fixed.”

A spokesperson for Poundstretcher said they could not comment on the incident as it is part of an ongoing and open investigation.